Shutdown moves Columbus Day ceremonies to Casa Italiana from Union Station

WASHINGTON (WUSA9) -- Columbus Day ceremonies were not the same this year thanks to the government shutdown.

The annual Columbus Day ceremonies usually take place in front of Union Station, but were moved to Casa Italiana at 595 3rd Street, NW because of the shutdown.

Neither the National Park Service nor the Marine Band could participate this year.

Wreaths were laid at an outdoor statue of Columbus between Casa Italiana and Holy Rosary Church.

Speakers at the event included diplomats from Italy, Spain and the Organization of American States, as well as the winner of the annual Youth Columbus Essay Contest, Victoria Anne Youngs, of Mount Carmel, Illinois.

The Washington, D.C. Columbus Day event is sponsored by the National Columbus Celebration Association, with active support from the National Italian American Foundation, the National Society Daughters of the American Revolution, the Lido Civic Club and the Knights of Columbus.